Feedback. (sounding board).Q. If the church announced tomorrow that it would ordain ORDAIN. To ordain is to make an ordinance, to enact a law. 2. In the constitution of the United States, the preamble. declares that the people "do ordain and establish this constitution for the United States of America. women as deacons, my reaction would be ... Standing applause. Then I'd take my place in the long line of women called to serve as deacons. Darlene Lister Lancaster, Calif. I'd open a bottle of champagne singing Dea Gratias! Claire Bangasser San Juan, Puerto Rico Hip, hip, hooray! I would definitely join a parish that had at least one female deacon deacon: see orders, holy. DEACON - Direct English Access and CONtrol. English-like query system. Sammet 1969, p.668. . Name withheld Pittsford, N. Y. Surprise. But if the church allows it, I'll go along with it. Kip L. Carlson Menasha, Wis. It's about time It's About Time may refer to:
Name withheld McHenry, Ill. To thank those making the decision, on one hand, and to work with those fellow Catholics who have a problem with the decision, on the other hand. Jim Martin Topeka, Kan. Disbelief. The attitude of the hierachy is so closed to even discussing the possibility, I cannot imagine that happening. Our bishop is closed to the idea of a male permanent diaconate di·ac·o·nate n. 1. The rank, office, or tenure of a deacon. 2. Deacons considered as a group. [Late Latin di , much less female. Name withheld Fort Wayne, Ind. Absolute delight, new hope, amazement, and gladness at the blow to my cynicism Cynicism See also Pessimism. Antisthenes (444–371 B. C.) Greek philosopher and founder of Cynic school. [Gk. Hist.: NCE, 121] Apemantus churlish, sarcastic advisor of Timon. [Br. Lit. about the male hierarchy. Joyce Raden, R.S.M. Oak Park, Ill. Alleluia Alleluia, Latin form of the expression Hallelujah. ! Although I suspect it will happen out of necessity, not because it's the right thing to do. That's OK; whatever works. June Wilkerson, O.P. Canyon Country, Calif. Outrage. Allowing women to be involved in the liturgy only drives away men's vocations to the priesthood priesthood Office of a spiritual leader expert in the ceremonies of worship and the performance of religious rituals. Though chieftains, kings, and heads of households have sometimes performed priestly functions, in most civilizations the priesthood is a specialized office. . Brenda Neary Columbus, Ohio Somebody give me an "Amen!" Patrick Kennedy Sterling, Ill. Q: I think the church's unwillingness to reinstate To restore to a condition that has terminated or been lost; to reestablish. To reinstate a case, for example, means to restore it to the same position it had before dismissal. the practice of women deacons is primarily motivated by ... Fear, especially fear of female sexuality. Name withheld St. Petersburg, Fla. The church's "good ol' boy" network. It's the same problem we've seen in the business world, except businesses don't have a public policy supporting discrimination. Name withheld Eugene, Ore. Fear that women will ask for priesthood next. Norbert Gaier Eau Claire, Wis. The anti-feminist bias of the magisterium mag·is·te·ri·um n. Roman Catholic Church The authority to teach religious doctrine. [Latin, the office of a teacher or other person in authority, from magister, master; see . Steven Kymes St. Louis, Mo. Fear of "rocking the boat," of making changes that might drive away members of the church. I hope that's what the unwillingness is about; I would hate to believe it is due to blatant sexism sex·ism n. 1. Discrimination based on gender, especially discrimination against women. 2. Attitudes, conditions, or behaviors that promote stereotyping of social roles based on gender. . Allison Koenig McLean Chicago, Ill. An ignoring of Jesus' respect for women. Sister Eileen Sheehy Hernando, Miss. Fear. The church's not allowing any discussion on women's ordination ordination: see ministry; orders, holy. shows a real control problem. Corinne Kirsch, C.S.J. Lilly, Penn. Old-fashioned ideas of women's place in society. Jean Sherman Sweet Home, Ore. Fear of change--among clergy and laity LAITY. Those persons who do not make a part of the clergy. In the United States the division of the people into clergy and laity is not authorized by law, but is, merely conventional. alike. Rosemary Murphy Madelia, Minn. Stubbornness. This is the way it is now and ever shall be, world without end, Amen. Marie Kraft Bismarck, N.D. Conservatives in power who haven't transitioned from the church triumphant See under Triumphant. the church in heaven, enjoying a state of triumph, her warfare with evil being over; - distinguished from See also: Church Triumphant to the church pastoral. Richard Goodwin Canon City, Colo. Fears of men who believe that once the gates are opened, the estrogen will flow. K. Kane Westerly, R.I. Q: How would ordaining women as deacons change the church? It would go a long way toward changing the anti-woman image of the church. Jennifer King Austin, Texas It would bring more compassion and tenderness to ministry. Barbara Blackman Rhinebeck, N.Y. We would be enriched by the complementary gifts and perspectives of women and men. Name withheld Memphis, Tenn. There would be a huge psychological impact. Just as a family needs a father and a mother, the church also needs the gifts of men and women to be healthy. Paula Zimmermann San Francisco, Calif. It would lighten light·en 1 v. light·ened, light·en·ing, light·ens v.tr. 1. a. To make light or lighter; illuminate or brighten. b. To make (a color) lighter. 2. the load of pastors, but the pastor has to be willing to let go of some of his power. Lorna Walk McFarland, Wis. It would make the church a much more effective witness for justice in the world. Name withheld Syracuse, N.Y. It would give the impression that everything is negotiable NEGOTIABLE. That which is capable of being transferred by assignment; a thing, the title to which may be transferred by a sale and indorsement or delivery. 2. . If people don't like a rule, oppose it loud enough and it will change. Sharon Legge Canton, Mass. It might soften the damage being done by the current scandals in the priesthood. Fran Reuland Omaha, Neb. There would be more women deacons than men! Patricia L. Gregory Reno, Nev. It could also diminish the importance of the laity, which would be a bad thing. Jo LePore Overland Park, Kan. They would take control of the whole thing. Women should stay home and take care of their kids. Carmela Kulp Phoenixville, Penn. It would send a message that females are not second-class members of the church. Children who see women treated as equals are more likely to remain in the church as adults. B. Anders Danbury, Conn. It would reflect the feminine as well as the masculine image of God. Mary Alice Mooney, S.U. Wilmington, N.C. It would not have a major impact because deacons are not regularly given access to decision-making functions in the church. Name withheld Appleton, Wis. For some parishes in our area, it would be nothing new. We now have pastoral administrators who function, in many ways, the same as ordained or·dain tr.v. or·dained, or·dain·ing, or·dains 1. a. To invest with ministerial or priestly authority; confer holy orders on. b. To authorize as a rabbi. 2. deacons. Glenn Tebbe Greensburg, Ind. General Comments If women can make it in the Senate, Congress, and governorships; lead universities and corporations; and serve as pastors, clerics, and bishops in other Christian communities, then let's shatter shat·ter v. shat·tered, shat·ter·ing, shat·ters v.tr. 1. To cause to break or burst suddenly into pieces, as with a violent blow. 2. a. the glass ceiling in the Catholic Church. R. Sammon Flushing, N. Y. While I firmly believe in the ideal of women deacons, I also think women can work more effectively for the people of God without the constraints and oppression that would be put on them with ordination at this time. Name withheld Philadelphia, Penn. There is no way I would subject my wife to attendance at diaconate classes when she is just as capable, if not more so, of being a deacon as I am. So the church doesn't just lose one deacon, it loses two. Derien R. Andes Pleasantville, N.J. I favor and support the ordination of women In general religious use, ordination is the process by which one is consecrated (set apart for the undivided administration of various religious rites). The ordination of women to the diaconate and the priesthood. However, I believe that we have to prepare people for these changes. Sometimes I think people see the ordination of women as the solution to all the current problems of the church. Glenn Janus Cedar Rapids, Iowa Most deacons are more like super-altar servers than like the deacons in the early church. It seems to me we would be better off calling for laymen and laywomen for particular roles of service. Name withheld Cochester, Vt. Most women are not capable of handling a priest's role in the church. Their emotions are too changing. I should know; I've been one for a long time. Name withheld Baton Rouge, La. The church has used textual and historical precedents to support their male-exclusivity stance. Why not use their own tools against them? Two can play at this game. Pamela Winfield Kyoto, Japan It boggles the mind that a female chaplain in a hospital cannot give the last sacraments to the very persons she has prepared for death and that a woman theologian the·o·lo·gi·an n. One who is learned in theology. theologian Noun a person versed in the study of theology Noun 1. who teaches homiletics hom·i·let·ics n. (used with a sing. verb) The art of preaching. homiletics the art of sacred speaking; preaching. — homiletic, homiletical adj. in a seminary seminary Educational institution, usually for training in theology. In the U.S. the term was formerly also used to refer to institutions of higher learning for women, often teachers' colleges. cannot give a homily homily (hŏm`əlē), type of oral religious instruction delivered to a church congregation. In the patristic period through the Middle Ages the focus of the homily was on the explanation and application of texts read or sung during the . Sister Arturo Cranston, O.P. Winter, Wis. You assume facts that have not been substantiated. You need to prove that deaconesses referred to in the Bible fulfilled all the same functions as a deacon. James Wood Camp Hill, Penn. It is not only women who want to become deacons (or priests) who suffer from the current restrictions but more importantly those who would like to be ministered to by a woman deacon or priest. Nikki Sauser Spokane, Wash. Just because women do not have the correct body part, it should not bar them from service as a priest or deacon. Name withheld Dundee, Ill. Let the slippery slide to ordination commence! John Klieforth Golden, Colo. AND THE SURVEY SAYS ... 1. I believe women should be ordained deacons. Readers only: agree 85% disagree 12% other 3% E-mail respondents: agree 94% disagree 4% other 2% 2. Ordaining women deacons would inevitable lead the church closer to ordaining women as priest. Readers only: agree 58% disagree 36% other 6% E-mail respondents agree 62% disagree 21% other 17% 3. I think women will be ordained as deacons: Readers only: 39% In the next 10 years. 27% In the next 25 years. 7% In the next 50 years. 11% Never. 16% Other. E-mail respondents: 54% In the next 10 years. 28% In the next 15 years. 7% In the next 50 years. 4% Never. 7% Other. These results are based on survey responses from 260 U.S. CATHOLIC readers and 315 Web site visitors. |
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